Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Episode 47 Recap
> Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Recap
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
Emperor Hongli lamented that ever since his ascension to the throne, despite his diligent governance and love for his citizens, his children had tragically died one by one, leaving him to endure the profound grief of outliving his own offspring. He confessed that First Prince Yonghuang had succumbed to a mental illness after Empress Xiaoxian's passing, and developed ambitions for the Crown Prince position.
Hongli reflected that while watching a son grow was a happy thing, their incompetence brought worry, and their wild ambitions, fear. He admitted that princes fighting for power was the most feared matter for an Emperor, and to guard against disloyalty, he had berated Yonghuang. However, he truly loved his son, who had been with him the longest. Ruyi gently suggested that if Yonghuang knew of the Emperor’s true feelings, he would find peace in the netherworld.
She then revealed Yonghuang’s dying words, where he continuously called for Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin, saddened that he could not be filial to her. Yonghuang had also confessed to Ruyi that Imperial Concubine Jia told him Empress Xiaoxian was responsible for the deaths of Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin and the Second Princess.
This caused Yonghuang to harbor a grudge against Empress Xiaoxian, leading to his disrespectful behavior during her funeral and the subsequent reprimand from the Emperor, which ultimately resulted in his depression and death. Emperor Hongli recalled questioning Empress Xiaoxian about Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin's death before her own passing, and Empress Xiaoxian had sworn her innocence. He conceded that rumors had indeed circulated in the palace after Imperial Noble Consort Zhemin’s death, and Imperial Concubine Jia likely believed those rumors.
Ultimately, the Emperor concluded that his own doubts, alongside Yonghuang’s ambition, were what truly led to his son's demise. The Emperor then turned to Ruyi, expressing his profound loneliness at the pinnacle of power, "above millions means you are alone at the summit." He invited her to stay by his side, reaffirming that she was the one he had chosen as his Princess Consort and legitimate wife since his days as a Prince.
He had always wanted to make her Empress after Empress Xiaoxian's passing. Ruyi admitted feeling frightened by the prospect of becoming Empress, wondering if it was because of her aunt. Hongli reassured her that past situations had left him no choice, but now he could decide. He emphasized that he was both Emperor and husband, and the woman by his side would be his Empress and his wife.
Ruyi confessed that she had never wanted the Empress position, but her aunt's dying question—if she wished to share the same blanket in life and be buried in the same tomb in death with Hongli—had resonated with her. She admitted that she did want this, and only the Empress could share the same tomb as the Emperor. Hongli saw this as a sign of their destiny, declaring he only wanted her by his side on his lonely summit.
Ruyi agreed, and they embraced. News of Ruyi's impending elevation to Empress spread throughout the palace, bringing a newfound respect from all. One day, Ruyi encountered a group of new palace maids from Yuanming Garden. Among them was Rongpei, who was fiercely confronting Eunuch Zhao, accusing him of accepting bribes to assign maids to desirable positions in the six palaces, while those who paid nothing were relegated to the Clothes Washing Division.
As Eunuch Zhao began to strike Rongpei, Ruyi intervened, ordering Eunuch Sanbao to stop him. Ruyi publicly condemned Zhao Quancai’s despotic behavior, sentencing him to fifty strokes of caning and removing him from the Internal Affairs Department. She then summoned Rongpei. Ruyi was impressed by Rongpei's straightforwardness and courage, asking if she feared unfair treatment for speaking out. Rongpei replied that she could bear suffering for herself but not for her less fortunate sisters.
Admiring her integrity, Ruyi invited Rongpei to work at Yikun Palace. Ruyi then instructed Eunuch Sanbao to ensure fairness in the Internal Affairs Department's assignments, citing Zhao Quancai as a warning. As preparations for the coronation proceeded, Ruyi’s closest companions, Hai Lan and Suoxin, assisted with the elaborate arrangements. Suoxin, having returned to the palace specifically to help, assured Ruyi of her daily devotion.
Meanwhile, Rongpei demonstrated her cautious nature when Head Supervising Eunuch Qin Li from the Internal Affairs Department arrived with lavish, brightly-colored satin for Ruyi’s new attire. Rongpei bravely intercepted him, stating that Ruyi preferred simplicity and that such extravagance was inappropriate while mourning First Prince Yonghuang, who had recently passed away and whose hundred-day mourning period had not yet concluded. Qin Li argued the silks were tributes and necessary for the pre-coronation garments, but Rongpei insisted on plain fabrics.
Ruyi emerged, supporting Rongpei's stance and requesting more modest satin. After Qin Li departed, Ruyi asked Rongpei why she dared to contradict a high-ranking eunuch. Rongpei explained that wearing such ostentatious clothing so soon after Yonghuang's death would invite public criticism, suggesting Ruyi was not sufficiently grieving and dragging her into a whirlpool of gossip. Hai Lan praised Rongpei's meticulous thinking and reliability, noting her ability to foresee potential issues.
Ruyi, also deeply satisfied with Rongpei's dedication and blunt honesty, which she appreciated as it stemmed from Rongpei's own past experiences of being looked down upon, appointed her as the new chief maid, or "Gugu", of Yikun Palace, taking over from Suoxin. Elsewhere, Emperor Hongli chastised Third Prince Yongzhang for his laziness and shallow knowledge in his studies.
Fifth Prince Yongqi, however, defended his elder brother, explaining that Yongzhang often paused his own studies to help explain lessons to him and Sixth Prince Yongrong, who were not very clever, which caused him to fall behind. While initially stern, Hongli softened, acknowledging Yongzhang’s protectiveness of his younger brothers. He told Yongzhang to focus on studying filial piety. Outside the hall, Ruyi encountered Noble Consort Chun, who was now devoted to reading Buddhist scriptures and observing a vegetarian diet.
Ruyi acknowledged that Noble Consort Chun's past misguided actions stemmed from her maternal love and susceptibility to instigation. Noble Consort Chun expressed deep regret, admitting her foolishness and susceptibility to Imperial Concubine Jia's sweet talk, which led her to aspire for the Empress position to secure her son's future. She sought Ruyi's understanding and forgiveness.
Ruyi reassured her, promising not to hold old grievances against her or Yongzhang, and vowing to show no bias towards any of the Emperor’s sons, especially since she had no children of her own. Noble Consort Chun, moved, thanked Ruyi and asked for her protection for herself and her son. Later, Ruyi visited the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager candidly expressed her initial disapproval of Ruyi becoming Empress but conceded that Ruyi had ultimately reached this position due to the Emperor’s insistence, not Ruyi's own machinations. Ruyi recounted her conversation with Hongli, emphasizing that while she respected the Empress’s title, her true desire was to be the Emperor's wife. The Empress Dowager, however, reminded Ruyi that an Emperor could never truly be one woman's husband, and even an Empress was merely a subject and servant.
Ruyi then questioned if the Empress Dowager had ever harbored the desire to be the late Emperor's true wife. The Empress Dowager admitted she never truly cared about the Empress position or obsessed over the Emperor's heart, which she considered the most inscrutable and unreliable thing in the world. She cautioned Ruyi that being a Step-Empress was an exceptionally difficult task, especially for someone from the Ula-Nara clan.
Ruyi responded that she cared not for high positions, but only wished to be by the Emperor's side because he felt lonely. The Empress Dowager finally relented, telling Ruyi to go and walk by the Emperor's side. Emperor Hongli stood before the portrait of his late Empress Xiaoxian, Langhua, informing her of his decision to establish a Step-Empress, Ruyi, and hoping Langhua would understand. Soon after, Third Princess Jingse arrived in the capital.
Upon reuniting, Jingse questioned Ruyi's suitability as Empress, citing her lack of family influence or children. The Emperor countered that these very reasons meant Ruyi would not be burdened by the need to exhaust herself scheming for her clan or offspring, unlike Empress Xiaoxian. Jingse then questioned the appointment of her maternal uncle, Lord Fuca Fuheng, as the envoy for Ruyi’s coronation, given his direct relation to the late Empress.
Hongli dismissed her concerns, stating it was Fuheng’s duty as his subject. After Hongli departed, Jingse remained, vowing to her mother's portrait that she would patiently await the Ula-Nara woman's inevitable fall from favor. The next day, Ruyi was formally crowned as the Central Palace Empress. Her loyal companions, including Hai Lan and Suoxin, expressed their joy.
Li Yu informed her that Hongli had personally chosen the auspicious date of the second day of the eighth lunar month for her coronation, which Ruyi noted was also the day she had first married him in Prince Bao Manor, a detail that deepened her smile. Following the elaborate ceremonies, Ruyi, adorned in her resplendent Empress's court attire, ascended the white jade steps of Taihe Hall, walking towards the Emperor.
She knelt to thank him, then rose to stand by his side. They exchanged a loving gaze and a small smile, and Hongli reached out to take her hand. Below, the assembled concubines watched, each with their own complex emotions as the entire court knelt and offered their solemn salutations to both the Emperor and the newly crowned Empress.
